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Categories Of Absinthe

August 31, 2009

Though being banned since the early 1900s, Absinthe is now legal in many countries and a few brands of Absinthe were legalized in the United States in 2007. People are excited about Absinthe and want to know more info on Absinthe and avaialbe Absinthe Kit. They are searching online for info and reading articles and books for their queries– What is it? Info about preparing it? Things required in making absinthe? Bann of Absinthe? How is it safe? What is wormwood? Etc. Let’s answer a few of those questions.

What about Absinthe

Absinthe is a strong distilled alcoholic beverage which contains a wine base and flavor of natural herbs and essential oils. Artsinthe Absinthium are the common wormwood used in Absinthe prodction. The fennel and aniseed give Absinthe its anise flavor and the wormwood gives Absinthe its characteristic bitter taste and its name.

Wormwood is being used since ancient times as a natural remedy for many medical conditions and so was a natural choice for Dr Pierre Ordinaire’s elixir or health tonic. Absinthe was invented by Ordinaire in the late 18th century in the Swiss town of Couvet by chance. By the early 19th century Henri-Louis Pernod was producing Absinthe and selling it commercially and by the middle of the 19th century it was a wel known drink in France, Switzerland and later the United States. Bars even had Absinthe hours (L’heure de verte) and Absinthe soon overtook other beverages such as wine and beer as the most popular drink.

Wine producers, doctors and the prohibition movement began anti-Absinthe campaign in earnest in the late 1800s. Absinthe was associated with the loose morals of the courtesans of the Moulin Rouge, Montmartre and the Bohemian artists and writers and prohibitionists blamed it for damaging society as an intoxicant.

Absinthe was also blamed for causing many health problems due to its thujone content. Thujone is a chemical found in wormwood which causes psychedelic effects. Absinthe was thought to contain huge amounts of thujone and to be same as the drug cannabis. It was blamed for:-

– Hallucinations
– Convulsions
-Reasons of brain damage
– Insanity
– Death

Absinthe was held responsible for a man murdering his family ashe had consumed two glasses of Absinthe and copious amounts of other alcohol!

Absinthe was believed to be dangerous and so was banned in 1912 in the USA and 1915 in France.

When it is safe How to use Absinthe~Know how is Absinthe safe~Know about safetyness of Absinthe?

Research and studies over the past few decades prove that pre ban Absinthe only contained very small amounts of thujone, not enough to be harmful or to cause hallucinations. The claims were just mass hysteria and just excuses for the wine producers and the prohibitionists to get Absinthe banned.

Thujone quantities are now controlled by legislation and Absinthe is just as safe as any of the other types of strong spirits. It is easy to get drunk on Absinthe though it contains high alcohol by volume (up to 75%), so care should be taken especially when mixing it in cocktails with other spirits.

The blend of herbs and the alcohol in Absinthe act as both a sedative and as a stimulant so being drunk on Absinthe is unlike any other state of drunkenness. It is described as a strange “lucid” or “clear headed” drunkenness.

Info about Absinthe Preparation

Preparing the Green Fairy (Absinthe) is part of enjoyment of drinking Absinthe. Needs
– Quality Absinthe
Pick an Absinthe glass
– An Absinthe slotted spoon
Mix iced water
Need of a sugar cube

Drop a shot of Absinthe into the glass and rest the spoon over the rim. Drip the water over the sugar placed over the spoon and into the Absinthe. The drink will louche – turn from a transparent green to a milky or cloudy paler mixture as the sugar and water solution mixes into the Absinthe. This “louche” is the desired effect and is caused by the essential oils of the Absinthe in soluble in water. Stir and have fun of your drink.

Take a quality Absinthe containing natural essential oils for the drink to louche. Absinthe essences from Absintheliquor.com make wonderful Absinthes with a high content of natural essential oils. The company sells glasses and spoons which are replicas of antiques. You will also find lots of info on Absinthe on their website.

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